Vishnupurana 3.4.2
The Vishnu Purana: A System of Hindu Mythology and Tradition 3.4.2
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- English
3.4.2
When Vyása was enjoined by Brahmá to arrange the Vedas in different books, he took four persons, well read in those works, as his disciples. He appointed Paila reader of the Rich; Vaiśampáyana of the Yajush; and Jaimini of the Soma-veda: and Sumantu, who was conversant with the Atharva-veda, was also the disciple of the learned Vyása. He also took Súta, who was named Lomaharshańa, as his pupil in historical and legendary traditions.
3.4.2.n1
Or rather, 'he took Paila as teacher.' The expression is, Rigveda śrávakam Pailam jagráha. Śrávaka means properly 'he who causes to hear,' 'a lecturer,' 'a preacher;' although, as in the case of its applicability to the laity of the Buddhists and Jainas, it denotes a disciple. The commentator however observes, that the text is sometimes read 'one who had gone through the Rig-veda.' So in the preceding verse it is said, 'he took four persons, well read in the Vedas, as his disciples,' and again it is said, 'Sumantu, conversant with the Atharva-veda, was his disciple.' It is clear, therefore, that the Vedas were known, as distinct works, before Krishńa Dwaipáyana; and it is difficult to understand how he earned his title of arranger, or Vyása: at any rate, in undertaking to give order to the prayers and hymns of which the Vedas consist, Paila and the others were rather his coadjutors than disciples; and it seems probable that the tradition records the first establishment of a school, of which the Vyása was the head, and the other persons named were the teachers.
3.4.2.n2
The Itihása and Puráńas; understanding by the former, legendary and traditional narratives. It is usually supposed that by the Itihása the Mahábhárata is especially meant; but although this poem is ascribed to Krishńa Dwaipáyana, the recitation of it is not attributed to his pupil, Roma or Loma-harshańa: it was first narrated by Vaiśampáyana, and after him by Sauti, the son of Lomaharshańa.
Linked texts (1)
- Viṣṇupurāṇa — Vyāsa, Sanskrit